School me on earphones.

[KrisYYC]

Hey all,

It's time for me to get some new earphones. The audiophiles on here will laugh but I've been using beats by Dre tour earbuds for the last couple of years and they finally bit the dust. I actually didn't mind them despite the bad rep they get. However, I'd like to get something better this time around.

I'm willing to spend $200-$300 so getting a good pair should be possible. I'm not an audiophile but I DO really notice differences in overall quality. I've searched on some audio forums/sites but to be honest I was overwhelmed with the huge variety of products so I'm just wondering if any local beyonders can chime with their experiences/recommendations.

They will be used daily and I travel a lot so durability is important. I listen to a wide variety of music but I do love bass (the one thing the Dre's did well) so great bass is important.

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated. :)

[Dumbass17]

check out massdrop.com :dunno:

[Neil4Speed]

Here are some suggestions that should fit the bill:

Beyerdynamic DT770 PRO 80ohm
FOSTEX TH900
Sony XB1000
V-MODA Crossfade M-100
JVC HA-SZ2000
Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2 (better than M50's IMO)
Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro
Sennheiser Momentum

All closed, Heavy heavy bass, probably below your max budget.

[ganesh]

On top of Neil4Speed's suggestions. Look at the Alphine headphones (Since you like the bass a lot). They are at the top end of your budget and you can listen to them at the Apple Store,
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/HGRQ2VC/A/alpine-bluetooth-wireless-over-ear-headphones

I was going to suggest Focal but not sure whether you will like them that much because they are not that heavy on the bass and more towards audiophiles.
They are again at the top end of your bedget.
http://www.focal.com/en/mobile-headphones/298-spirit-one-3544052725001.html

[KrisYYC]

Thanks for the suggestions guys but I'm actually looking for earbud style earphones. Not over ear headphones. Thanks though!

[ganesh]

Try Vmoda for the earbud style headphones. I had one of these about 3 yrs ago. Really liked it and since then they have come a long way.

[HiSpec]

Assuming you are only searching for in-ear headphones. You can take a look at this link:

http://www.head-fi.org/a/head-fi-buying-guide-in-ear-headphones

Overall best earphones for 2014. There are a few options listed within your price range.

But from Neil4Speed's list, I have used the Sennheiser Momentum. Just like what he said, it is heavier on bass before fully burn-in. After it does smooth out a tad but still a noticeable hump in the mid-bass.

[BananaFob]

I bought a set of Sony XBA H-3's. Great bass, and fit well. A little bit of a weird wrap around style, but once you get used to it they are comfortable as hell. They were a bit pricey, around $300, but since the Sony stores are closing down, might be able to score one for cheaper?

[schocker]

These sennheisers are currently on sale for $150. They are open though so if by travel you mean in an airplane, probably not the best.
http://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-HD-598-Headphones-Accents/dp/B0042A8CW2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421439921&sr=8-1&keywords=hd+598
They are awesome. I bought a pair in the fall for $115, but $150 is still a decent deal and have been using them over my AKGs since.

[Mitsu3000gt]

He want's earbuds/in-ear headphones folks :)

I keep going back to SHURE SE215's, I even prefer them in many ways to my Monster Turbine Copper's (over 4X the MSRP). They have the perfect fit, bass, treble, etc. for my personal tastes.

I especially like them for working out and walking to work, they wrap behind your ears comfortably, and the strap can tighten under your chin if you choose, which keeps them rock solid on a treadmill or whatever. The other thing I like, is they cancel noise so well, I can't even hear the person running next to me, and I can barely even hear someone drop a weight rack. Completely cancels out airplane noise too.

Could not be happier with the SHUREs, at $99 I think they offer some of the highest bang for the buck, and are cheap enough it's not the end of the world if you wreck them. I'm on my second or third pair. I didn't realize how important comfort & fit was until I tried other styles/brands.

There are lots of awesome earphones in the $100-200 range though, it's mostly personal taste and hard to go wrong with any of the respected brands.

This is a good thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/433318/shootout-113-portable-headphones-reviewed-alpha-design-labs-adl-h118-added-07-15-14

[schocker]

He wants what we tell him!!!!! :rofl:

[KrisYYC]

Thanks for the info guys! Helped a lot!

Narrowed it down to a few, now time to read some more reviews.

Cheers

[Neil4Speed]

Lol, I fucked up, should have read closer.

[KrisYYC]

I've narrowed it down to two now:

The Shure SE215's http://www.head-fi.org/products/shure-se215

And RHA T10i http://www.head-fi.org/products/rha-t10i

So it comes down to how much I want to spend. I've read reviews about both and they both seem to fit the bill with the RHA's being a bit more bassy and a 3 year warranty, and the Shure's being great bang for buck. Hard decision!


Cheers